Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture and Its Mitigation Strategies: A Review

Elaborating the multifarious role of PGPB for sustainable food security under changing climate conditions

Changing climate creates a challenge to agricultural sustainability and food security by changing patterns of parameters like increased UV radiation, rising temperature, altered precipitation patterns, and higher occurrence of extreme weather incidents. Plants are vulnerable to different abiotic stresses such as waterlogging, salinity, heat, cold, and drought in their natural environments. The prevailing agricultural management practices play a major role in the alteration of the Earth's climate by causing biodiversity loss, soil degradation through chemical and physical degradation, and pollution of water bodies. The extreme usage of pesticides and fertilizers leads to climate change by releasing greenhouse gases (GHGs) and depositing toxic substances in the soil. At present, there is an urgent need to address these abiotic stresses to achieve sustainable growth in agricultural production and fulfill the rising global food demand. Several types of bacteria that are linked with plants can increase plant resistance to stress and lessen the negative effects of environmental challenges. This review aims to explore the environmentally friendly capabilities and prospects of multi-trait plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in the alleviation of detrimental impacts of harsh environmental conditions on plants.

Bacterial Volatile Organic Compounds as a Strategy to Increase Drought Tolerance in Maize (Zea mays L.): Influence on Plant Biochemistry

Maize is highly susceptible to drought, which affects growth and yield. This study investigated how bacterial volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) affect maize drought tolerance. Drought reduced shoot size but increased root length, an adaptation for accessing deeper soil moisture. BVOCs from strain D12 significantly increased root length and shoot growth under drought conditions. Drought also altered root biochemistry, decreasing enzyme activity, and increased osmolyte levels. BVOCs from strains F11 and FS4-14 further increased osmolyte levels but did not protect membranes from oxidative damage, while BVOCs from strains D12 and D7 strains reduced osmolyte levels and cell damage. In shoots, drought increased the levels of osmolytes and oxidative stress markers. BVOCs from FS4-14 had minimal effects on shoot biochemistry. BVOCs from D12 and F11 partially restored metabolic activity but did not reduce cell damage. BVOCs from D7 reduced metabolic activity and cell damage. These results suggest that BVOCs can modulate the biochemical response of maize to drought, with some strains evidencing the potential to enhance drought tolerance.

A Comprehensive Review of Climate Change and Plant Diseases in Brazil

Analyzing the impacts of climate change on phytosanitary problems in Brazil is crucial due to the country's special role in global food security as one of the largest producers of essential commodities. This review focuses on the effects of climate change on plant diseases and discusses its main challenges in light of Brazil's diverse agricultural landscape. To assess the risk of diseases caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, oomycetes, nematodes, and spiroplasms, we surveyed 304 pathosystems across 32 crops of economic importance from 2005 to 2022. Results show that diseases caused by fungi account for 79% of the pathosystems evaluated. Predicting the occurrence of diseases in a changing climate is a complex challenge, and the continuity of this work is strategic for Brazil's agricultural defense. The future risk scenarios analyzed here aim to help guide disease mitigation for cropping systems. Despite substantial progress and ongoing efforts, further research will be needed to effectively prevent economic and environmental damage.

Trends and challenges in liquid-preserved boar semen production: From boar to product

Boar semen production plays a pivotal role in modern swine breeding programmes, influencing the genetic progress and overall efficiency of the pork industry. This review explores the current challenges and emerging trends in liquid-preserved boar semen production, addressing key issues that impact the quality and quantity of boar semen. Advances in new reproductive technologies, boar selection, housing, semen processing, storage and transport, and the need for sustainable practices including the use of artificial intelligence are discussed to provide a comprehensive overview of the field.

Effect of drought acclimation on sugar metabolism in millet

Drought stress triggers sugar accumulation in plants, providing energy and aiding in protection against oxidative damage. Plant hardening under mild stress conditions has been shown to enhance plant resistance to severe stress conditions. While sugar accumulation and metabolism under drought stress have been well-documented in crop plants, the effect of drought acclimation treatment on sugar accumulation and metabolism has not yet been explored. In this study, we investigated the impact of drought stress acclimation on sugar accumulation and metabolism in the leaves and root tissues of two commonly cultivated foxtail millet (Setaria italica L.) genotypes, 'PI 689680' and 'PI 662292'. Quantification of total sugars (soluble sugar, fructose, glucose, and sucrose), their related enzymes (SPS, SuSy, NI, and AI), and the regulation of their related transcripts (SiSPS1, SiSuSy1, SiSWEET6, SiA-INV, and SiC-INV) revealed that drought-acclimated (DA) plants exhibited levels of these indicators comparable to those of control plants. However, under subsequent drought stress conditions, both the leaves and roots of non-acclimated plants accumulated higher levels of total sugars, displayed increased activity of sugar metabolism enzymes, and showed elevated expression of sugar metabolism-related transcripts compared to drought-acclimated plants. Thus, acclimation-induced restriction of sugar accumulation, transport, and metabolism could be one of the metabolic processes contributing to enhanced drought tolerance in millet. This study advocates for the use of acclimation as an effective strategy to mitigate the negative impacts of drought-induced metabolic disturbances in millet, thereby enhancing global food security and promoting sustainable agricultural systems.

Prediction of suitable regions of wild tomato provides insights on domesticated tomato cultivation in China

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges to the world at present. Tomato is also suffered from devastating yield loss due to climate change. The domesticated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is presumed to be originated from the wild tomato (S. pimpinellifolium). In this study, we compared the climate data of S. pimpinellifollium with the domesticated tomato, predicted the suitable regions of S. pimpinellifollium in China using MaxEnt model and assessed their tolerance to drought stress. We found that the predicted suitable regions of wild tomato are highly consistent with the current cultivated regions of domesticated tomato, suggesting that the habitat demand of domesticated tomato descended largely from its ancestor, hence the habitat information of wild tomato could provide a reference for tomato cultivation. We further predicted suitable regions of wild tomato in the future in China. Finally, we found that while average drought tolerance between wild and domesticated tomato accessions shows no difference, tolerance levels among wild tomato accessions exhibit higher variation, which could be used for future breeding to improve drought resistance. To summarize, our study shows that suitable regions of wild tomato provide insights into domesticated tomato cultivation in China.

Versatile applications of fullerenol nanoparticles

Nanomaterials have become increasingly important over time as research technology has enabled the progressively precise study of materials at the nanoscale. Developing an understanding of how nanomaterials are produced and tuned allows scientists to utilise their unique properties for a variety of applications, many of which are already incorporated into commercial products. Fullerenol nanoparticles C60(OH)n, 2 ≤ n ≤ 44 are fullerene derivatives and are produced synthetically. They have good biocompatibility, low toxicity and no immunological reactivity. In addition, their nanometre size, large surface area to volume ratio, ability to penetrate cell membranes, adaptable surface that can be easily modified with different functional groups, drug release, high physical stability in biological media, ability to remove free radicals, magnetic and optical properties make them desirable candidates for various applications. This review comprehensively summarises the various applications of fullerenol nanoparticles in different scientific fields such as nanobiomedicine, including antibacterial and antiviral agents, and provides an overview of their use in agriculture and biosensor technology. Recommendations are also made for future research that would further elucidate the mechanisms of fullerenols actions.

Determinants of the adoption of climate smart agriculture practices by smallholder wheat farmers in northwestern Ethiopia

Frequent climate variability and change had the strongest direct influences on the availability and accessibility of food through reducing agricultural productivity and cropping patterns. Despite the Ethiopian government having made substantial efforts to boost production and productivity through the introduction of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices (CSAPs), the implementation of these practices by smallholder wheat farmers has remained low. This study, therefore, tried to investigate the determinants of the adoption of CSAPs in Northwestern Ethiopia. The primary data were gathered from 385 randomly selected wheat producers (including 702 plot-level observations). The CSAPs considered in this investigation were wheat row planting, crop rotation, and improved wheat varieties. The factors that influence the adoption of CSAPs were determined using a multivariate probit (MVP) model. The results revealed that the age of the sampled wheat producer farmers, education level of sampled wheat farmers, livestock holding, contact with development agents, credit access, off-farm activities participation, distance to input supply institution, slope of the plot, and soil fertility status of the plot were the major determinants of the adoption of CSAPs. The study suggested that policy-makers and stakeholders should strengthen farmers' skills by providing sufficient and effective short-term training. Moreover, encouraging mixed crop-livestock production systems, strengthening credit access, development agents, and access to near-input supply institutions are required to scale-up the adoption of CSAPs.

Comparative metabolomics of leaves and stems of three Italian olive cultivars under drought stress

The Mediterranean will be one of the focal points of climate change. The predicted dry and hot summers will lead to water scarcity in agriculture, which may limit crop production and growth. The olive tree serves as a model woody plant for studying drought stress and improving water resource management; thus, it is critical to identify genotypes that are more drought tolerant and perform better under low irrigation or even rainfed conditions. In this study, the metabolomic approach was used to highlight variations in metabolites in stems and leaves of three Italian olive cultivars (previously characterized physiologically) under two and four weeks of drought stress. Phenolic and lipophilic profiles were obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. The findings identified the leaf as the primary organ in which phenolic variations occurred. The Maurino cultivar exhibited a strong stress response in the form of phenolic compound accumulation, most likely to counteract oxidative stress. The phenolic compound content of 'Giarraffa' and 'Leccino' plants remained relatively stable whether they were exposed to drought or not. Variations in the lipid profile occurred in leaves and stems of all the cultivars. A high accumulation of compounds related to epicuticular wax components was observed in the leaf of 'Giarraffa', while a strong reduction of lipids and long-chain alkanes occurred in 'Maurino' when exposed to drought stress conditions.

Unraveling root and rhizosphere traits in temperate maize landraces and modern cultivars: Implications for soil resource acquisition and drought adaptation

A holistic understanding of plant strategies to acquire soil resources is pivotal in achieving sustainable food security. However, we lack knowledge about variety-specific root and rhizosphere traits for resource acquisition, their plasticity and adaptation to drought. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to phenotype root and rhizosphere traits (mean root diameter [Root D], specific root length [SRL], root tissue density, root nitrogen content, specific rhizosheath mass [SRM], arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [AMF] colonization) of 16 landraces and 22 modern cultivars of temperate maize (Zea mays L.). Our results demonstrate that landraces and modern cultivars diverge in their root and rhizosphere traits. Although landraces follow a 'do-it-yourself' strategy with high SRLs, modern cultivars exhibit an 'outsourcing' strategy with increased mean Root Ds and a tendency towards increased root colonization by AMF. We further identified that SRM indicates an 'outsourcing' strategy. Additionally, landraces were more drought-responsive compared to modern cultivars based on multitrait response indices. We suggest that breeding leads to distinct resource acquisition strategies between temperate maize varieties. Future breeding efforts should increasingly target root and rhizosphere economics, with SRM serving as a valuable proxy for identifying varieties employing an outsourcing resource acquisition strategy.

The impact of nursing sustainable prevention program on heat strain among agricultural elderly workers in the context of climate change

BACKGROUND

This study assesses a geriatric nursing-led sustainable heat prevention program for elderly agricultural workers. It targets those aged 60 and above, addressing the heightened risk of heat strain in the era of climate change.

METHODS

A community-based quasi-experimental design involved 120 elderly agricultural workers, divided into intervention and control groups. The program, spanning three months, included education on hydration, rest, protective clothing, and recognition of heat-related illnesses.

RESULTS

The intervention led by geriatric nursing professionals showed significant improvements in heat strain metrics. The Heat Strain Score Index (HSSI) and the Observational-Perceptual Heat Strain Risk Assessment (OPHSRA) Index indicated increased safety levels and reduced risk categories among participants.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of a geriatric nursing-led, tailored prevention program in reducing heat strain among elderly agricultural workers. It highlights the crucial role of nursing in adapting healthcare practices to the challenges posed by climate change.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID NCT06192069 retrospectively registered.

The genetic orchestra of salicylic acid in plant resilience to climate change induced abiotic stress: critical review

Climate change, driven by human activities and natural processes, has led to critical alterations in varying patterns during cropping seasons and is a vital threat to global food security. The climate change impose several abiotic stresses on crop production systems. These abiotic stresses include extreme temperatures, drought, and salinity, which expose agricultural fields to more vulnerable conditions and lead to substantial crop yield and quality losses. Plant hormones, especially salicylic acid (SA), has crucial roles for plant resiliency under unfavorable environments. This review explores the genetics and molecular mechanisms underlying SA's role in mitigating abiotic stress-induced damage in plants. It also explores the SA biosynthesis pathways, and highlights the regulation of their products under several abiotic stresses. Various roles and possible modes of action of SA in mitigating abiotic stresses are discussed, along with unraveling the genetic mechanisms and genes involved in responses under stress conditions. Additionally, this review investigates molecular pathways and mechanisms through which SA exerts its protective effects, such as redox signaling, cross-talks with other plant hormones, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Moreover, the review discusses potentials of using genetic engineering approaches, such as CRISPR technology, for deciphering the roles of SA in enhancing plant resilience to climate change related abiotic stresses. This comprehensive analysis bridges the gap between genetics of SA role in response to climate change related stressors. Overall goal is to highlight SA's significance in safeguarding plants and by offering insights of SA hormone for sustainable agriculture under challenging environmental conditions.

Impact of sowing date and level of phosphorus application on economic returns in cotton

This study explored the economic dynamics of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in Msilale village, Chato District, Tanzania. The experiment utilized a factorial design with sowing dates on November 25th, December 15th, and January 4th, and phosphorus levels at 0, 20, 40, and 60 kg P ha-1, replicated three times. Results indicated significantly higher cotton yields (6.1 t ha-1 and 6.3 t ha-1) for November and December sowings compared to January (3.8 t ha-1). This is a 61% and 66% increase in cotton yields for November and December sowings, respectively relative to January sowing. Though not significant, 20 kg P ha-1 and 40 kg P ha-1 applications yielded 5.8 t ha-1 and 5.4 t ha-1, respectively, while 60 kg P ha-1 yielded 5.3 t ha-1. This is a 9.4% and 1.9% increase in cotton yields at 20 and 40 kg P ha-1, respectively relative to absolute control and 60 kg P ha-1 application. Economic analysis revealed that late sowing (January) had the lowest net profit (Tshs. 3,723,400 ≈ USD 1,486) and benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) of 11.2. Early sowings recorded higher net profits (Tshs. 6,679,527 ≈ USD 2,666 and Tshs. 6,861,283 ≈ USD 2,738) and BCRs (18.4 and 18.8, respectively). This is a 79% (BCR = 64%) and 84% (BCR = 68) increase in net benefits from early sowings compared to late sowing. Applications of 20, 40, and 60 kg P ha-1 resulted in net benefits of Tshs. 5,452,572 ≈ USD 2,176 (BCR = 19.2), Tshs. 5,209,904 ≈ USD 2,079 (BCR = 15.1), and Tshs. 5,748,786 ≈ USD 2,294 (BCR = 14.1), respectively, with a significant (p = 0.017) BCR at 20 kg P ha-1 indicating cost-effectiveness. This is a 36% and 7.1% economic benefit at 20 and 40 kg P ha-1, respectively compared to 60 kg P ha-1 application. Optimizing sowing dates and P levels can boost economic returns in cotton production and promote sustainability.

Stability Evaluation for Heat Tolerance in Lettuce: Implications and Recommendations

Lettuce is an important cool-temperature crop, and its principal abiotic stress is low heat tolerance. Lettuce production has become more challenging in the context of global warming changes. Hence, the main objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between stability and lettuce heat tolerance. Field and greenhouse trials were run in 2015 (summer) and 2016 (fall and spring). The environments were composed of a combination of season and place (field, glass, and plastic greenhouse), and the assessed genotypes were BRS Leila and Mediterrânea, Elisa, Everglades, Simpson, and Vanda. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of environments (E), genotypes (G), and the GEI. BRS Leila, Elisa, and BRS Mediterrânea showed the greatest means to the first anthesis in suitable environments (milder temperatures). Among these cultivars, BRS Mediterrânea was the most stable and adapted to hot environments. The environmental conditions studied in this research, mainly high temperatures, could become a reality in many lettuce-producing areas. Therefore, the results can help indicate and develop lettuce varieties with greater heat tolerance.

Crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling under climate change scenario, and optimal cropland allocation in lower kulfo catchment

Crop water requirement and irrigation scheduling in Lower Kulfo Catchment of southern Ethiopia have not assessed under climate change scenarios, and the allocation of crop land also not optimal that signifcantly challenges to crop productivity.Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of climate change on future crop water requirements, and irrigation scheduling, and to allocate cropland optimally. Bias of projected precipitation and temperature were corrected by utilizing Climate Model data with the hydrologic modeling tool (CMhyd). Alongside, crop water requirements and irrigation scheduling were assessed using Crop Water Assessment Tool. After estimating crop water requirement, crop land were allocated optimally using General Algebraic Modeling System programming with non-negativity constraints (scenario 1), and non-negativity constraints based on farmers adaptation (scenario 2). Average reference evapotranspiration from 2030 to 2050 and 2060 to 2080 was increased by 11.9 %, and 16.2 %, respectively compared with the reference period (2010-2022). The total seasonal crop water requirements were 4,529 mm, 4866.7 mm, and 5272.2 mm under 2010 to 2022, 2030 to 2050, and 2060 to 2080 climate change scenarios, respectively. The meean irrigation interval in 2010-2022, 2030 to 2050, and 2060 to 2080 climate change scenarios were 8 days, 7 days, and 5 days, respectively. This irrigation interval was decreased by 14 % (2030-2050), and 34 % (2060-2080) compared with the reference period. In 2030 to 2050 and 2026 to 2080 climate change scenarios, the required irrigation water at the inlet of main canal increased by 6.8 %, and 18 %, respectively. The optimal allocated area for tomato (60.4 %), maize (20.8 %), and watermelon (18.8 %) in scenario 1 with net benefit of 1.47*108 Ethiopian Birr. The allocated areas in scenario 2 were (48 %) for maize, (31.6 %) for tomato, and (20.4 %) for watermelon with 1.34*108 Ethiopian Birr net benefit it was reduced by 19.1 % compared with the net benefit in scenario 1. Fruit crops alone may not suffice for local food needs and to address this, small farmers should grow maize, tomato, and watermelon. This research aids policymakers in encouraging climate-resilient agriculture and improving small-scale farmers' awareness through conducting workshops and training.

Mitigating Emerging and Reemerging Diseases of Fruit and Vegetable Crops in a Changing Climate

Fruit and vegetable crops are important sources of nutrition and income globally. Producing these high-value crops requires significant investment of often scarce resources, and, therefore, the risks associated with climate change and accompanying disease pressures are especially important. Climate change influences the occurrence and pressure of plant diseases, enabling new pathogens to emerge and old enemies to reemerge. Specific environmental changes attributed to climate change, particularly temperature fluctuations and intense rainfall events, greatly alter fruit and vegetable disease incidence and severity. In turn, fruit and vegetable microbiomes, and subsequently overall plant health, are also affected by climate change. Changing disease pressures cause growers and researchers to reassess disease management and climate change adaptation strategies. Approaches such as climate smart integrated pest management, smart sprayer technology, protected culture cultivation, advanced diagnostics, and new soilborne disease management strategies are providing new tools for specialty crops growers. Researchers and educators need to work closely with growers to establish fruit and vegetable production systems that are resilient and responsive to changing climates. This review explores the effects of climate change on specialty food crops, pathogens, insect vectors, and pathosystems, as well as adaptations needed to ensure optimal plant health and environmental and economic sustainability.

Precision Estimation of Crop Coefficient for Maize Cultivation Using High-Resolution Satellite Imagery to Enhance Evapotranspiration Assessment in Agriculture

The estimation of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) is crucial for irrigation water management, especially in arid regions. This can be particularly relevant in the Po Valley (Italy), where arable lands suffer from drought damages on an annual basis, causing drastic crop yield losses. This study presents a novel approach for vegetation-based estimation of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) for maize. Three years of high-resolution multispectral satellite (Sentinel-2)-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalized Difference Red Edge Index (NDRE), and Leaf Area Index (LAI) time series data were used to derive crop coefficients of maize in nine plots at the Acqua Campus experimental farm of Irrigation Consortium for the Emilia Romagna Canal (CER), Italy. Since certain vegetation indices (VIs) (such as NDVI) have an exponential nature compared to the other indices, both linear and power regression models were evaluated to estimate the crop coefficient (Kc). In the context of linear regression, the correlations between Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-based Kc and NDWI, NDRE, NDVI, and LAI-based Kc were 0.833, 0.870, 0.886, and 0.771, respectively. Strong correlation values in the case of power regression (NDWI: 0.876, NDRE: 0.872, NDVI: 0.888, LAI: 0.746) indicated an alternative approach to provide crop coefficients for the vegetation period. The VI-based ETc values were calculated using reference evapotranspiration (ET0) and VI-based Kc. The weather station data of CER were used to calculate ET0 based on Penman-Monteith estimation. Out of the Vis, NDWI and NDVI-based ETc performed the best both in the cases of linear (NDWI RMSE: 0.43 ± 0.12; NDVI RMSE: 0.43 ± 0.095) and power (NDWI RMSE: 0.44 ± 0.116; NDVI RMSE: 0.44 ± 0.103) approaches. The findings affirm the efficacy of the developed methodology in accurately assessing the evapotranspiration rate. Consequently, it offers a more refined temporal estimation of water requirements for maize cultivation in the region.

Ploidy's Role in Daylily Plant Resilience to Drought Stress Challenges

This study aimed to understand the differences in the performance of diploid and tetraploid daylily cultivars under water deficit conditions, which are essential indicators of drought tolerance. This research revealed that tetraploid daylilies performed better than diploid varieties in arid conditions due to their enhanced adaptability and resilience to water deficit conditions. The analysis of the results highlighted the need to clarify the specific physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying the enhanced drought tolerance observed in tetraploid plants compared to diploids. This research offers valuable knowledge for improving crop resilience and sustainable floricultural practices in changing environmental conditions. The morphological and physiological parameters were analyzed in 19 diploid and 21 tetraploid daylily cultivars under controlled water deficit conditions, and three drought resistance groups were formed based on the clustering of these parameters. In a high drought resistance cluster, 93.3% tetraploid cultivars were exhibited. This study demonstrates the significance of ploidy in shaping plant responses to drought stress. It emphasizes the importance of studying plant responses to water deficit in landscape horticulture to develop drought-tolerant plants and ensure aspects of climate change.

Soil organic carbon fractionation, carbon index, and microbial activity under different agroforestry systems in North Eastern Himalayas, India

The potential of soil organic carbon fractions for agroforestry systems (AFSs) is not well understood. Five distinct AFSs were tested for its impact on soil organic carbon fractionation, carbon index, and microbial activity in North Eastern Himalayas, India. The mean labile carbon (LC) ranged from 4.55 to 5.43 kg soil-1 across the land use systems. Napier system observed the lowest very labile carbon (VLC) 12.36 kg soil-1 in 60-75-cm depth. The mean non labile carbon (NLC) ranged from 15.67 to 16.83 g kg soil-1 across the land use. Highest less labile carbon (LLC) was observed in agri-horti-silviculture (AHS) followed by agri-silvi-horticulture (ASH) land use system. The black gram + mandarin + Alnus nepalensis land use recorded higher lability index (1.66) followed by maize + Schima wallichii (1.65) in 0-15-cm depth. Among the different land use systems, carbon pool index increased in all the depths over buckwheat + mandarin. The mean carbon management index (CMI) value ranged from 167.02 to 210.12 among the land use system. The mean CMI was highest in black gram + mandarin + Alnus nepalensis (210.12) followed by soybean + Ficus hookerii + guava (191.56), maize + Schima wallichii (281.71), and lowest in buckwheat + mandarin (167.02). Among the AFSs, black gram + mandarin + Alnus nepalensis showed greater amount of carbon pool index, lability index, and carbon management index and, hence, considered the best sustainable agroforestry system to sequester more carbon in the Sikkim Himalaya. Such system also retained more different organic carbon fractions. The mean CMI value ranged from 167.02 to 210.12 among AFSs. Acid phosphatase activity was more during the rainy season followed by winter and summer season. Similar trends were followed by the urease activity in all the three seasons. Overall conclusion from this investigation is that SOC fractions, carbon index, and microbial activity levels are strongly influenced by the prevailing agroforestry systems.

Chemical Profile and Bioactivity of Rubus idaeus L. Fruits Grown in Conventional and Aeroponic Systems

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) is a fruit of great interest due to its aroma, nutritional properties, and the presence of many bioactive compounds. However, differences among cultivation systems can affect its composition and, consequently, its potential bioactivity. Herein, for the first time, raspberries grown in an aeroponic system were investigated for their chemical profile and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as their enzyme (α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase) inhibitory properties in comparison to wild and conventionally cultivated fruits. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) analyses revealed the presence of gallic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, rutin, and catechin in all the samples. The extracts exhibited in vitro anti-inflammatory activity (inhibition of nitric oxide production) regardless of the cultivation method. Of particular interest is the ability of raspberries to inhibit pancreatic lipase. With the exception of the β-carotene bleaching test, the raspberries grown in conventional and aeroponic systems were more active in terms of antioxidants than wild fruits, as evidenced by the ABTS (IC50 in the range 1.6-3.4 μg/mL), DPPH (IC50 in the range 8.9-28.3 μg/mL), and FRAP tests (24.6-44.9 μM Fe(II)/g). The raspberries from aeroponic cultivation were generally able to exert the same bioactivity as those obtained from both conventionally cultivated and wild fruits, supporting the consideration that in the future, this technology could reshape agriculture by mitigating resource constraints, fostering sustainable practices and increasing yields.

A review of the potential involvement of small RNAs in transgenerational abiotic stress memory in plants

Crop production is increasingly threatened by the escalating weather events and rising temperatures associated with global climate change. Plants have evolved adaptive mechanisms, including stress memory, to cope with abiotic stresses such as heat, drought, and salinity. Stress memory involves priming, where plants remember prior stress exposures, providing enhanced responses to subsequent stress events. Stress memory can manifest as somatic, intergenerational, or transgenerational memory, persisting for different durations. The chromatin, a central regulator of gene expression, undergoes modifications like DNA acetylation, methylation, and histone variations in response to abiotic stress. Histone modifications, such as H3K4me3 and acetylation, play crucial roles in regulating gene expression. Abiotic stresses like drought and salinity are significant challenges to crop production, leading to yield reductions. Plant responses to stress involve strategies like escape, avoidance, and tolerance, each influencing growth stages differently. Soil salinity affects plant growth by disrupting water potential, causing ion toxicity, and inhibiting nutrient uptake. Understanding plant responses to these stresses requires insights into histone-mediated modifications, chromatin remodeling, and the role of small RNAs in stress memory. Histone-mediated modifications, including acetylation and methylation, contribute to epigenetic stress memory, influencing plant adaptation to environmental stressors. Chromatin remodeling play a crucial role in abiotic stress responses, affecting the expression of stress-related genes. Small RNAs; miRNAs and siRNAs, participate in stress memory pathways by guiding DNA methylation and histone modifications. The interplay of these epigenetic mechanisms helps plants adapt to recurring stress events and enhance their resilience. In conclusion, unraveling the epigenetic mechanisms in plant responses to abiotic stresses provides valuable insights for developing resilient agricultural techniques. Understanding how plants utilize stress memory, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, and small RNAs is crucial for designing strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on crop production and global food security.

Analysis of Primary and Secondary Metabolites, Physical Properties, Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities, and Chemical Composition of Rosmarinus officinalis Essential Oils under Differential Water Stress Conditions

This study investigated the effects of varying water stress levels on Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils (EO). Three samples (S1, S2, and S3) were cultivated under different stress levels (40, 60, and 80%). Increased water stress led to changes in primary and secondary metabolites, EO contents, and physical properties. Antioxidant activity varied, with S2 exhibiting the highest IC50 value. In terms of antidiabetic activity, S2 showed robust α-amylase inhibition, while S3 displayed a commendable influence. For α-galactosidase inhibition, S3 had a moderate effect, and S2 stood out with increased efficacy. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed stress-induced changes in major compounds. The study enhances the understanding of plant responses to water stress, with potential applications in antioxidant therapy and diabetes management. The findings emphasize the importance of sustainable water management for optimizing the EO quality in its various uses.

Symbiont effector-guided mapping of proteins in plant networks to improve crop climate stress resilience: Symbiont effectors inform highly interconnected plant protein networks and provide an untapped resource for crop climate resilience strategies

There is an urgent need for novel protection strategies to sustainably secure crop production under changing climates. Studying microbial effectors, defined as microbe-derived proteins that alter signalling inside plant cells, has advanced our understanding of plant immunity and microbial plant colonisation strategies. Our understanding of effectors in the establishment and beneficial outcome of plant symbioses is less well known. Combining functional and comparative interaction assays uncovered specific symbiont effector targets in highly interconnected plant signalling networks and revealed the potential of effectors in beneficially modulating plant traits. The diverse functionality of symbiont effectors differs from the paradigmatic immuno-suppressive function of pathogen effectors. These effectors provide solutions for improving crop resilience against climate stress by their evolution-driven specification in host protein targeting and modulation. Symbiont effectors represent stringent tools not only to identify genetic targets for crop breeding, but to serve as applicable agents in crop management strategies under changing environments.

Climate warming, environmental degradation and pollution as drivers of antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major challenge to public health, but human-caused environmental changes have not been widely recognized as its drivers. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the relationships between environmental degradation and antibiotic resistance, demonstrating that the former can potentially fuel the latter with significant public health outcomes. We describe that (i) global warming favors horizontal gene transfer, bacterial infections, the spread of drug-resistant pathogens due to water scarcity, and the release of resistance genes with wastewater; (ii) pesticide and metal pollution act as co-selectors of antibiotic resistance mechanisms; (iii) microplastics create conditions promoting and spreading antibiotic resistance and resistant bacteria; (iv) changes in land use, deforestation, and environmental pollution reduce microbial diversity, a natural barrier to antibiotic resistance spread. We argue that management of antibiotic resistance must integrate environmental goals, including mitigation of further increases in the Earth's surface temperature, better qualitative and quantitative protection of water resources, strengthening of sewage infrastructure and improving wastewater treatment, counteracting the microbial diversity loss, reduction of pesticide and metal emissions, and plastic use, and improving waste recycling. These actions should be accompanied by restricting antibiotic use only to clinically justified situations, developing novel treatments, and promoting prophylaxis. It is pivotal for health authorities and the medical community to adopt the protection of environmental quality as a part of public health measures, also in the context of antibiotic resistance management.

The Physiological Response of Apricot Flowers to Low-Temperature Stress

The growth and development of apricot flower organs are severely impacted by spring frosts. To better understand this process, apricot flowers were exposed to temperatures ranging from 0 °C to -8 °C, including a control at 18 °C, in artificial incubators to mimic diverse low-temperature environments. We aimed to examine their physiological reactions to cold stress, with an emphasis on changes in phenotype, membrane stability, osmotic substance levels, and antioxidant enzyme performance. Results reveal that cold stress induces significant browning and cellular damage, with a sharp increase in browning rate and membrane permeability below -5 °C. Soluble sugars and proteins initially rise as osmoprotectants, but their content decreases at lower temperatures. Proline content consistently increases, suggesting a protective role. Antioxidant enzyme activities, including catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), exhibit a complex pattern, with initial increases followed by declines at more severe cold conditions. Correlation and principal component analyses highlight the interplay between these responses, indicating a multifaceted adaptation strategy. The findings contribute to the understanding of apricot cold tolerance and inform breeding efforts for improved crop resilience.

Extreme rainfall, farmer vulnerability, and labor mobility-Evidence from rural China

The recurrent occurrence of extreme weather events poses a significant threat to agricultural production, food security, and sustainable economic development. Understanding farmers' adaptive responses to cope with these challenges is pivotal for informing and implementing effective climate resilience policies. This study utilizes the Spatial Precipitation Index (SPI) to assess rainfall patterns and applies fixed effects methods to analyze extreme rainfall shocks' impact on rural households, using panel data from China's 2006-2015 National Rural Fixed Point Survey. Below are the results. Firstly, both drought and rainstorm shocks negatively affect agricultural yield and income, highlighting farmers' vulnerability to extreme rainfall events. Secondly, farmers respond to these shocks by reallocating labor from agriculture to non-agricultural sectors or migrating to urban areas, with these labor mobility patterns typically being temporary. Thirdly, there's notable heterogeneity linked to household affluence. Less affluent rural households experienced more pronounced declines in yield and income, compelling higher migration rates. Collectively, our findings shed light on how Chinese rural households strategically adjust their labor decisions to respond to extreme rainfall shocks through inter-sectoral and inter-regional labor mobility.

The Evaluation of a Long-Term Experiment on the Relationships between Weather, Nitrogen Fertilization, Preceding Crop, and Winter Wheat Grain Yield on Cambisol

In this paper, a sequence (1979-2022) of a long-term trial established in Lukavec in 1956 (Czech Republic) focusing on the effect of weather, various nitrogen (N) fertilization methods (control, PK, N1PK, N2PK, and N3PK) and preceding crops (cereals, legumes, and oil plants) on winter wheat grain yield is presented. The weather significantly changed at the site of the long-term trial. While the trend in the mean temperature significantly increased, precipitation did not change significantly over the long term. Four relationships between weather and grain yield were evaluated to be significant: (a) the mean temperature in February (r = -0.4) and the precipitation in (b) February (r = -0.4), (c) March (r = -0.4), and (d) May (r = 0.5). The yield trends for all the fertilizer treatments increased, including the unfertilized control. The N3PK treatment provided the highest mean grain yields, while the unfertilized control had the lowest yields. Comparing the preceding crops, the highest yields were harvested when the wheat followed the legumes. On the other hand, the cereals were evaluated as the least suitable preceding crop in terms of grain yield. According to the linear-plateau model, the optimal nitrogen (N) dose for modern wheat varieties, following legumes and under the trial's soil climate conditions, was 131 kg ha-1 N, corresponding to a mean grain yield of 8.2 t ha-1.

Nexus of food waste and climate change framework: Unravelling the links between impacts, projections, and emissions

This communication explores the intricate relationship between food waste and climate change, considering aspects such as impacts, projections, and emissions. It focuses on the pressing issue of waste generation and its potential consequences if current trends persist, and emphasises the importance of efficient solid waste management in improving environmental quality and fostering economic development. It also highlights the challenges faced by developing countries in waste collection and disposal, drawing comparisons with the waste utilisation methods used by developed nations. The review delves into the link between food waste and climate change, noting the paradoxical situation of food wastage against the backdrop of global hunger and malnutrition. It underscores the scientific evidence connecting food waste to climate change and its implications for food security and climate systems. Additionally, it examines the environmental burden imposed by food waste, including its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and the depletion of resources such as energy, water, and land. Besides environmental concerns, this communication also highlights the ethical and socioeconomic dimensions of food waste, discussing its influence on Sustainable Development Goals, poverty, and social inequality. The communication concludes by advocating for collective action and the development of successful mitigation strategies, technological solutions, and policy interventions to address food waste and its climate impacts. It emphasises the need for collaboration, awareness, and informed decision-making to ensure a more sustainable and equitable future.

Unraveling the enigma of NPP variation in Chinese vegetation ecosystems: The interplay of climate change and land use change

Global carbon emissions have exacerbated the greenhouse effect, exerting a profound impact on ecosystems worldwide. Gaining an understanding of the fluctuations in vegetation net primary productivity (NPP) is pivotal in the assessment of environmental quality, estimation of carbon source/sink potential, and facilitation of ecological restoration. Employing MODIS and meteorological data, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of NPP evolution in Chinese vegetation ecosystems (VESs), employing Theil-Sen median trend analysis and the Mann-Kendall test. Furthermore, utilizing scenario-based analysis, we quantitatively determined the respective contributions of climate change and land use change to NPP variations across various scales. The overall NPP exhibited a discernible upward trend from 2000 to 2020, with a growth rate of 5.83 gC·m-2·year-1. Forestland ecosystem (FES) displayed the highest rate of increase (9.40 gC·m-2·year-1), followed by cropland ecosystem (CES) (4.00 gC·m-2·year-1) and grassland ecosystem (GES) (3.40 gC·m-2·year-1). Geographically, NPP exhibited a spatial pattern characterized by elevated values in the southeast and diminished values in the northwest. In addition, climate change had elevated 76.39 % of CES NPP, 90.62 % of FES NPP, and 71.78 % of GES NPP. At the national level, climate change accounted for 83.14 % of the NPP changes, while land use change contributed 14.14 %. Notably, climate change emerged as the primary driving force behind NPP variations across all VEGs, with land use change exerting the most pronounced influence on CES. At the grid scale (2 km × 2 km), land use change played a substantial role in all VEGs, contributing 60.01 % in CES, 54.20 % in FES, and 55.61 % in GES of the NPP variations.

Climate change and geo-environmental factors influencing desertification: a critical review

The problem of desertification (DSF) is one of the most severe environmental disasters which influence the overall condition of the environment. In Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit on Environment and Development (1922), DSF is defined as arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid induced LD and that is adopted at the UNEP's Nairobi ad hoc meeting in 1977. It has been seen that there is no variability in the trend of long-term rainfall, but the change has been found in the variability of temperature (avg. temp. 0-5 °C). There is no proof that the air pollution brought on by CO2 and other warming gases is the cause of this rise, which seems to be partially caused by urbanization. The two types of driving factors in DSF-CC (climate change) along with anthropogenic influences-must be compared in order to work and take action to stop DSF from spreading. The proportional contributions of human activity and CC to DSF have been extensively evaluated in this work from "qualitative, semi-quantitative, and quantitative" perspectives. In this study, we have tried to connect the drives of desertification to desertification-induced migration due to loss of biodiversity and agriculture failure. The authors discovered that several of the issues from the earlier studies persisted. The policy-makers should follow the proper SLM (soil and land management) through using the land. The afforestation with social forestry and consciousness among the people can reduce the spreading of the desertification (Badapalli et al. 2023). The green wall is also playing an important role to reduce the desertification. For instance, it was clear that assessments were subjective; they could not be readily replicated, and they always relied on administrative areas rather than being taken and displayed in a continuous space. This research is trying to fulfill the mentioned research gap with the help of the existing literatures related to this field.

Climate Change-The Rise of Climate-Resilient Crops

Climate change disrupts food production in many regions of the world. The accompanying extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, heat waves, and cold snaps, pose threats to crops. The concentration of carbon dioxide also increases in the atmosphere. The United Nations is implementing the climate-smart agriculture initiative to ensure food security. An element of this project involves the breeding of climate-resilient crops or plant cultivars with enhanced resistance to unfavorable environmental conditions. Modern agriculture, which is currently homogeneous, needs to diversify the species and cultivars of cultivated plants. Plant breeding programs should extensively incorporate new molecular technologies, supported by the development of field phenotyping techniques. Breeders should closely cooperate with scientists from various fields of science.

CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing and functional analysis of SlHyPRP1 and SlDEA1 genes of Solanum lycopersicum L. in imparting genetic tolerance to multiple stress factors

CRISPR/Cas is a breakthrough genome editing system because of its precision, target specificity, and efficiency. As a speed breeding system, it is more robust than the conventional breeding and biotechnological approaches for qualitative and quantitative trait improvement. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an economically important crop, but its yield and productivity have been severely impacted due to different abiotic and biotic stresses. The recently identified SlHyPRP1 and SlDEA1 are two potential negative regulatory genes in response to different abiotic (drought and salinity) and biotic stress (bacterial leaf spot and bacterial wilt) conditions in S. lycopersicum L. The present study aimed to evaluate the drought, salinity, bacterial leaf spot, and bacterial wilt tolerance response in S. lycopersicum L. crop through CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing of SlHyPRP1 and SlDEA1 and their functional analysis. The transient single- and dual-gene SlHyPRP1 and SlDEA1 CRISPR-edited plants were phenotypically better responsive to multiple stress factors taken under the study. The CRISPR-edited SlHyPRP1 and SlDEA1 plants showed a higher level of chlorophyll and proline content compared to wild-type (WT) plants under abiotic stress conditions. Reactive oxygen species accumulation and the cell death count per total area of leaves and roots under biotic stress were less in CRISPR-edited SlHyPRP1 and SlDEA1 plants compared to WT plants. The study reveals that the combined loss-of-function of SlHyPRP1 along with SlDEA1 is essential for imparting significant multi-stress tolerance (drought, salinity, bacterial leaf spot, and bacterial wilt) in S. lycopersicum L. The main feature of the study is the detailed genetic characterization of SlDEA1, a poorly studied 8CM family gene in multi-stress tolerance, through the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system. The study revealed the key negative regulatory role of SlDEA1 that function together as an anchor gene with SlHyPRP1 in imparting multi-stress tolerance in S. lycopersicum L. It was interesting that the present study also showed that transient CRISPR/Cas9 editing events of SlHyPRP1 and SlDEA1 genes were successfully replicated in stably generated parent-genome-edited line (GEd0) and genome-edited first-generation lines (GEd1) of S. lycopersicum L. With these upshots, the study's key findings demonstrate outstanding value in developing sustainable multi-stress tolerance in S. lycopersicum L. and other crops to cope with climate change.

Plant endophytes: unveiling hidden applications toward agro-environment sustainability

Endophytic microbes are plant-associated microorganisms that reside in the interior tissue of plants without causing damage to the host plant. Endophytic microbes can boost the availability of nutrient for plant by using a variety of mechanisms such as fixing nitrogen, solubilizing phosphorus, potassium, and zinc, and producing siderophores, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, and phytohormones that help plant for growth and protection against various abiotic and biotic stresses. The microbial endophytes have attained the mechanism of producing various hydrolytic enzymes such as cellulase, pectinase, xylanase, amylase, gelatinase, and bioactive compounds for plant growth promotion and protection. The efficient plant growth promoting endophytic microbes could be used as an alternative of chemical fertilizers for agro-environmental sustainability. Endophytic microbes belong to different phyla including Euryarchaeota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Mucoromycota, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. The most pre-dominant group of bacteria belongs to Proteobacteria including α-, β-, γ-, and δ-Proteobacteria. The least diversity of the endophytic microbes have been revealed from Bacteroidetes, Deinococcus-Thermus, and Acidobacteria. Among reported genera, Achromobacter, Burkholderia, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Herbaspirillum, Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Rhizobium, and Streptomyces were dominant in most host plants. The present review deals with plant endophytic diversity, mechanisms of plant growth promotion, protection, and their role for agro-environmental sustainability. In the future, application of endophytic microbes have potential role in enhancement of crop productivity and maintaining the soil health in sustainable manner.

Recent advances in Bacillus-mediated plant growth enhancement: a paradigm shift in redefining crop resilience

The Bacillus genus has emerged as an important player in modern agriculture, revolutionizing plant growth promotion through recent advances. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the critical role Bacillus species play in boosting plant growth and agricultural sustainability. Bacillus genus bacteria benefit plants in a variety of ways, according to new research. Nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and the production of growth hormones are examples of these. Bacillus species are also well-known for their ability to act as biocontrol agents, reducing phytopathogens and protecting plants from disease. Molecular biology advances have increased our understanding of the complex interplay between Bacillus species and plants, shedding light on the genetic and metabolic underpinnings of these interactions. Furthermore, novel biotechnology techniques have enabled the development of Bacillus-based biofertilizers and biopesticides, providing sustainable alternatives to conventional chemical inputs. Apart from this, the combination of biochar and Bacillus species in current biotechnology is critical for improving soil fertility and encouraging sustainable agriculture through enhanced nutrient retention and plant growth. This review also emphasizes the Bacillus genus bacteria's ability to alleviate environmental abiotic stresses such as drought and salinity, hence contributing to climate-resilient agriculture. Moreover, the authors discuss the challenges and prospects associated with the practical application of Bacillus-based solutions in the field. Finally, recent advances in Bacillus-mediated plant growth promotion highlight their critical significance in sustainable agriculture. Understanding these improvements is critical for realizing the full potential of Bacillus genus microorganisms to address current global food production concerns.

IoT-Based Framework for Digital Twins in the Industry 5.0 Era

Digital twins are considered the next step in IoT-based cyber-physical systems; they allow for the real-time monitoring of assets, and they provide a comprehensive understanding of a system behavior, allowing for data-driven insights and informed choices. However, no comprehensive framework exists for the development of IoT-based digital twins. Moreover, the existing frameworks do not consider the aspects introduced by the Industry 5.0 paradigm, such as sustainability, human-centricity, and resilience. This paper proposes a framework based on the one defined as the outcome of a project funded by the European Union between 2010 and 2013 called the IoT Architectural Reference Model (IoT-A or IoT-ARM), with the aim of the development and implementation of a standard IoT framework that includes digital twins. This framework establishes and implements a standardized collection of architectural instruments for modeling IoT systems in the 5.0 era, serving as a benchmark for the design and implementation of an IoT architecture focused on digital twins and enabling the sustainability, resilience, and human-centricity of the information system. Furthermore, a proof of concept of a monitoring digital twin for a vertical farming system has been developed to test the validity of the framework, and a discussion of applications in the manufacturing and service sectors is presented.

Exploring genetic variability under extended photoperiod in lentil (Lens Culinaris Medik): vegetative and phenological differentiation according to genetic material's origins

Lentil is an important pulse that contributes to global food security and the sustainability of farming systems. Hence, it is important to increase the production of this crop, especially in the context of climate changes through plant breeding aiming at the development of high-yielding and climate-smart cultivars. However, conventional plant breeding approaches are time and resources consuming. Thus, speed breeding techniques enabling rapid generation turnover could help to accelerate the development of new varieties. The application of extended photoperiod prolonging the duration of the plant's exposure to light and shortening the duration of the dark phase is among the simplest speed breeding techniques. In this study, genetic variability response under extended photoperiod (22 h of light/2 h of dark at 25 °C) of a lentil collection of 80 landraces from diverse latitudinal origins low (0°-20°), medium (21°-40°) and high (41°-60°), was investigated. Significant genetic variations were observed between accessions, for time to flowering [40 → 120 days], time of pods set [45 → 130 days], time to maturity [64 → 150 days], harvest index [0 → 0.24], green canopy cover [0.39 → 5.62], seedling vigor [2 → 5], vegetative stage length [40 → 120 days], reproduction stage length [3 → 13 days], and seed filing stage length [6 → 25 days]. Overall, the accessions from Low latitudinal origin demonstrated a favorable response to the extended photoperiod application with almost all accessions flowered, while 18% and 57% of accessions originating from medium and high latitudinal areas, respectively, did not successfully reach the flowering stage. These results enhanced our understanding lentil responses to photoperiodism under controlled conditions and are expected to play important roles in speed breeding based on the application of the described protocol for lentil breeding programs in terms of choosing appropriate initial treatments such as vernalization depending on the origin of accession.

Plant responses to climate change, how global warming may impact on food security: a critical review

Global agricultural production must double by 2050 to meet the demands of an increasing world human population but this challenge is further exacerbated by climate change. Environmental stress, heat, and drought are key drivers in food security and strongly impacts on crop productivity. Moreover, global warming is threatening the survival of many species including those which we rely on for food production, forcing migration of cultivation areas with further impoverishing of the environment and of the genetic variability of crop species with fall out effects on food security. This review considers the relationship of climatic changes and their bearing on sustainability of natural and agricultural ecosystems, as well as the role of omics-technologies, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, phenomics and ionomics. The use of resource saving technologies such as precision agriculture and new fertilization technologies are discussed with a focus on their use in breeding plants with higher tolerance and adaptability and as mitigation tools for global warming and climate changes. Nevertheless, plants are exposed to multiple stresses. This study lays the basis for the proposition of a novel research paradigm which is referred to a holistic approach and that went beyond the exclusive concept of crop yield, but that included sustainability, socio-economic impacts of production, commercialization, and agroecosystem management.

Navigating Nutrition Inequities: BIPOC Maternal Health and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)'s Fruit and Vegetable Voucher

INTRODUCTION

The proposal to administer cuts for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) could create deficiencies in nutrition for already food insecure, low-income Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) pregnant, postpartum women, and children. WIC is a US Department of Agriculturefunded nutritional program for women, infants, and children. The current proposal is to cut the funding by $800 million for the 2024 fiscal year, affecting 75% of its low-income recipients and predominantly BIPOC.

METHODS

Relevant websites and journal articles were analyzed to determine how the proposed cuts would create barriers within the social determinants of health that contribute to disparities in health outcomes of WIC recipients.

RESULTS

Many studies have demonstrated that nutrition in the first 1000 days is critical for the healthy development of newborns. Prior research suggests that maternal health outcomes for BIPOC populations are contingent upon the increased allocation of nutritional support programs such as WIC and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Nutrients provided by the cash benefit voucher have been proven to contribute to participants' health outcomes, and allotment increases can benefit maternal and infant health outcomes.

CONCLUSION AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Neonatal nurses can help advocate for more robust policies that support the health of their patients. Future directions call for systematic changes in policies and legislation that directly affect maternal health outcomes, supportive breastfeeding policies, and applied research on solutions to improve maternal health outcomes of BIPOC populations in addition to increased awareness, education, and implementation of VeggieRx programs, investment in affordable, sustainable grassroots urban agriculture solutions.

Physiological and biochemical study of the drought tolerance of 14 main olive cultivars in the Mediterranean basin

A complete study of 14 olive cultivars of great economic importance was carried out. These cultivars are Arbequina, Arbosana, Chemlali, Cornicabra, Cornezuelo de Jaén, Empeltre, Frantoio, Hojiblanca, Koroneiki, Manzanilla de Sevilla, Martina, Picual, Sikitita1 and Sikitita 2. All of them are certified by the World Olive Germplasm Bank of Córdoba (Spain). They are predominant cultivars in the olive groves of different locations throughout the Mediterranean basin, and they were subjected to total water deficit for a minimum of 14 days and a maximum of 42 days in the present study. Data such as chlorophyll content, soil moisture and specific leaf area were gathered. Photosynthetic parameters measured at the respective saturation irradiance of each cultivar were also analysed: assimilation rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic efficiency, photochemical and non-photochemical quenching, photonic flux density, electron transference ratio, efficient use of water and amount of proline and malondialdehyde as indicators of oxidative stress. In addition to the control, two different experimental conditions were analysed: moderate drought, after 14 days of lack of irrigation, and severe drought, after 28-42 days of total absence of irrigation, depending on the tolerance of each cultivar. Based on the results, the cultivars were characterised and divided into four groups according to their drought tolerance: tolerant, moderately tolerant, moderately sensitive and sensitive to drought. This work represents the first contribution of drought tolerance of a considerable number of olive cultivars, with all of them being subjected to the same criteria and experimental conditions for their classification.

Review: Research progress on seasonal succession of phyllosphere microorganisms

Phyllosphere microorganisms have recently attracted the attention of scientists studying plant microbiomes. The origin, diversity, functions, and interactions of phyllosphere microorganisms have been extensively explored. Many experiments have demonstrated seasonal cycles of phyllosphere microbes. However, a comprehensive comparison of these separate investigations to characterize seasonal trends in phyllosphere microbes of woody and herbaceous plants has not been conducted. In this review, we explored the dynamic changes of phyllosphere microorganisms in woody and non-woody plants with the passage of the season, sought to find the driving factors, summarized these texts, and thought about future research trends regarding the application of phyllosphere microorganisms in agricultural production. Seasonal trends in phyllosphere microorganisms of herbaceous and woody plants have similarities and differences, but extensive experimental validation is needed. Climate, insects, hosts, microbial interactions, and anthropogenic activities are the diverse factors that influence seasonal variation in phyllosphere microorganisms.

Climatic variability and its impact on the indigenous agricultural system using panel data analysis in the Sikkim Himalaya, India

Climate-induced extreme events with fluctuations in climatic indicators like temperature and precipitation highly influence crop productivity. This study deals with quantitative analysis of climatic variability and crop production (1990-2018) using panel data regression analysis. The focus is on variability of three crops, i.e., paddy, maize, and wheat in the Rangit river basin of Sikkim Himalaya, India. Meterological data were acquired from the Indian Meteorological Department, agricultural data from the state agricultural department and a field survey were also conducted with the farmers, using a structured questionnaire, focused group discussion, and key informant observations. The acquired data was analyzed with the help of correlation and multiple linear regression analysis to analyze the relationship between climatic variability and crop production. The result of the study shows that all three crops are dependent on rainfall; however, paddy was the most sensitive to climatic variability. It was found that the overall grain production had an inverse relation to temperature, but it had a positive correlation with rainfall. It was observed that there was a continuous decline in the overall production of paddy and wheat. During deficiency years, it was found that when - 11.33% rainfall was deficient, paddy yield declined by - 1.52%. Further, a deviation of - 13.48% led to a decline of - 54.78% in wheat. The study advocates that timely policy interventions and strategies shall reduce climatic shocks and improve productivity. This would strengthen the livelihood security of the local communities, overcome the challenges of food security, and ensure long-term sustainability of Rangit River basin.

Impact of Climate Change on the Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Activity of Mentha pulegium L

A central position in Moroccan ethnobotany is held by the Mentha genus, serving as a vital reference for aromatic and medicinal plants within the Lamiaceae family. The profound importance of Mentha species in the daily lives of Moroccans is recognized, and the primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of rising temperatures and decreasing precipitation on the primary and secondary metabolites of Mentha pulegium under the following climatic conditions: sample 1, cultivated under standard temperature and precipitation conditions during the first year; sample 2, subjected to an 8 °C temperature increase and a 25% reduction in water supply; and sample 3, exposed to a 12 °C temperature rise and a 50% decrease in water availability. Phytochemical screening results reveal a progressive decline in primary metabolites from sample 1 to sample 3 due to the increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation. Conversely, a distinct trend is observed in secondary metabolites and the yield of essential oil, increasing from sample 1 to sample 2 as the temperature rises and precipitation decreases. Remarkably, in sample 3, the yield of essential oil decreases as climatic conditions further deteriorate. Additionally, GC analysis demonstrates that modifications in the chemical compositions of essential oils occur because of the disruption of climatic parameters, particularly in the major compounds. Similarly, changes in climatic parameters significantly influence antioxidant activity, with sample 2 exhibiting the highest activity, as reflected by an IC50 value (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) of 14,874.04 μg/mL, followed by the third sample at 8488.43 μg/mL, whereas the first sample exhibits the lowest activity at 4505.02 μg/mL. In summary, the complex relationship between climatic factors and the chemical composition of Mentha pulegium is highlighted by our experiment, emphasizing its implications for medicinal properties within an ecological context.

Experimental investigation and multi-performance optimization of the leachate recirculation based sustainable landfills using Taguchi approach and an integrated MCDM method

Landfill leachates contain harmful substances viz. chemicals, heavy metals, and pathogens, that pose a threat to human health and the environment. Unattended leachate can also cause ground water contamination, soil pollution and air pollution. This study focuses on management of leachate, by recirculating the rich, nutrient-filled fluid back into the landfills, turning it to a bioreactor, thereby maximising the performance parameters of landfills favourable for electricity production by the waste to energy plants. This study demonstrates a sustainable alternative method for utilising the fluid, rather than treating it using an extremely expensive treatment process. Further, it also experimentally investigates the effect of varying levels of five input parameters of the landfill including waste particle size, waste addition, inorganic content in waste, leachate recirculation rate, and landfill age, each at five levels, on the multiple performance of the landfill using Taguchi's L25 standard orthogonal array. Experimental results are analysed using an integrated MCDM approach i.e. MEREC-PIV method and statistical techniques such as analysis of mean (ANOM) and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicate that the optimal setting of the input parameters is waste particle size at 9 ppm, waste addition at 80 Ktoe, inorganic content in waste at 2%, leachate recirculation rate at 250 l/day and landfill age at 3 years. Further, inorganic content waste is found to be the most significant parameter for the multiple performance of the landfill. This study presents a novel approach to produce input parameters for power plants which may enhance their profitability and sustainability.

Social media reporting on agricultural adaptation to climate change in Pakistan: Measures and implications for sustainability

The agricultural sector is the backbone and single-largest sector of the Pakistani economy. Pakistan's agricultural productivity is suffering due to climate change. The study aimed at finding how social media reporting can change patterns of attitudes among farmers to cope with sudden weather changes. A correlation-experimental research design was used to find the relationships and effects of climate change on agriculture in Punjab (Pakistan) and the mediating effect of social media reporting. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect samples from 120 male farmers. Online surveys, with the help of Google Docs, were used to collect participants' responses about the type of behavior they used to adopt when getting information about climate change through social media. After determining their reliability and validity through piloting, two self-constructed questionnaires were used: (i) Measuring Farmers' Behavior Influenced by Social Media Reporting of Climate Change and (ii) Effects of Social Media Reporting of Climate Change on Agriculture. Data were analyzed using SPSS-21, and correlation analysis was done to find out the relationship between social media reporting and farmers' behavior. Linear regression was used to measure the functional relationship between social media reporting about climate change and farmers' attitudes towards adopting precautions to increase annual yield. The coefficient of social media reporting was positively and significantly related to farmers' attitudes towards the selection of crops, land management, and water storage. Based on the findings, the social media reports significantly predicted patterns of farmers' behavior towards the adaptation of advanced measures to select crops, reduce pest attacks, manage land, and store water.

Agro-morphological, biochemical, and molecular markers of barley genotypes grown under salinity stress conditions

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of salt stress on morphological, yield, biochemical, and molecular attributes of different barley genotypes. Ten genotypes were cultivated at Fayoum Research Station, El-Fayoum Governorate, Egypt, during two seasons (2020-2021 and 2021-2022), and they were exposed to two different salt concentrations (tap water as a control and 8000 ppm). The results showed that genotypes and salt stress had a significant impact on all morphological and physiological parameters. The morphological parameters (plant height) and yield attributes (spike length, number of grains per spike, and grain yield per plant) of all barley genotypes were significantly decreased under salt stress as compared to control plants. Under salt stress, the total soluble sugars, proline, total phenol, total flavonoid, ascorbic acid, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium contents of the shoots of all barley genotypes significantly increased while the potassium content decreased. L1, which is considered a sensitive genotype was more affected by salinity stress than the tolerance genotypes L4, L6, L9, and Giza 138. SDS-PAGE of seed proteins demonstrated high levels of genetic variety with a polymorphism rate of 42.11%. All genotypes evaluated revealed significant variations in the seed protein biochemical markers, with new protein bands appearing and other protein bands disappearing in the protein patterns of genotypes cultivated under various conditions. Two molecular marker techniques (SCoT and ISSR primers) were used in this study. Ten Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) primers exhibited a total of 94 fragments with sizes ranging from 1800 base pairs to 100 base pairs; 29 of them were monomorphic, and 65 bands, with a polymorphism of 62.18%, were polymorphic. These bands contained 21 unique bands (9 positive specific markers and 12 negative specific markers). A total of 54 amplified bands with molecular sizes ranging from 2200 to 200 bp were produced using seven Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) primers; 31 of them were monomorphic bands and 23 polymorphic bands had a 40.9% polymorphism. The techniques identified molecular genetic markers associated with salt tolerance in barley crop and successfully marked each genotype with distinct bands. The ten genotypes were sorted into two main groups by the unweighted pair group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis based on molecular markers and data at a genetic similarity coefficient level of 0.71.

The Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Avena fatua Extract: Antifungal Activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici

Using plant extracts as eco-friendly reducing and stabilizing agents for the synthesis of nanoparticles has gained significant attention in recent years. The current study explores the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the Avena fatua extract and evaluates their antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (Fol), a fungal plant pathogen. A green and sustainable approach was adopted to synthesize silver nanoparticles before these nanoparticles were employed for anti-fungal activity. The primary indication that AgNPs had formed was performed using UV-vis spectroscopy, where a strong peak at 425 nm indicated the effective formation of these nanoparticles. The indication of important functional groups acting as reducing and stabilizing agents was conducted using the FTIR study. Additionally, morphological studies were executed via SEM and AFM, which assisted with more effectively analyzing AgNPs. Crystalline behavior and size were estimated using powder XRD, and it was found that AgNPs were highly crystalline, and their size ranged from 5 to 25 nm. Synthesized AgNPs exhibited significant antifungal activity against Fol at a concentration of 40 ppm. Furthermore, the inhibitory index confirmed a positive correlation between increasing AgNPs concentration and exposure duration. This study suggests that the combined phytochemical mycotoxic effect of the plant extract and the smaller size of synthesized AgNPs were responsible for the highest penetrating power to inhibit Fol growth. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of using plant extracts as reducing and capping agents for the green synthesis of AgNPs with antifungal properties. The study concludes that A. fatua extract can synthesize antifungal AgNPs as a sustainable approach with robust antifungal efficacy against Fol, underscoring their promising potential for integration into plant protection strategies.

Uncovering the environmental conditions required for Phyllachora maydis infection and tar spot development on corn in the United States for use as predictive models for future epidemics

Phyllachora maydis is a fungal pathogen causing tar spot of corn (Zea mays L.), a new and emerging, yield-limiting disease in the United States. Since being first reported in Illinois and Indiana in 2015, P. maydis can now be found across much of the corn growing regions of the United States. Knowledge of the epidemiology of P. maydis is limited but could be useful in developing tar spot prediction tools. The research presented here aims to elucidate the environmental conditions necessary for the development of tar spot in the field and the creation of predictive models to anticipate future tar spot epidemics. Extended periods (30-day windowpanes) of moderate mean ambient temperature (18-23 °C) were most significant for explaining the development of tar spot. Shorter periods (14- to 21-day windowpanes) of moisture (relative humidity, dew point, number of hours with predicted leaf wetness) were negatively correlated with tar spot development. These weather variables were used to develop multiple logistic regression models, an ensembled model, and two machine learning models for the prediction of tar spot development. This work has improved the understanding of P. maydis epidemiology and provided the foundation for the development of a predictive tool for anticipating future tar spot epidemics.

Silicon mitigates K deficiency in maize by modifying C, N, and P stoichiometry and nutritional efficiency

Potassium (K) deficiency in maize plants damages the nutritional functions of K. However, few studies have investigated the influence of K on C:N:P stoichiometry, the nutritional efficiency of these nutrients, and whether the mitigating effect of Si in plants under stress could act on these nutritional mechanisms involved with C, N, and P to mitigate K deficiency. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of K deficiency in the absence and presence of Si on N and P uptake, C:N:P stoichiometric homeostasis, nutritional efficiency, photosynthetic rate, and dry matter production of maize plants. The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions using a 2 × 2 factorial scheme comprising two K concentrations: potassium deficiency (7.82 mg L-1) and potassium sufficiency (234.59 mg L-1). These concentrations were combined with the absence (0.0 mg L-1) and presence of Si (56.17 mg L-1), arranged in randomized blocks with five replicates. Potassium deficiency decreased stoichiometric ratios (C:N and C:P) and the plant's C, N, and P accumulation. Furthermore, it decreased the use efficiency of these nutrients, net photosynthesis, and biomass of maize plants. The results showed that Si supply stood out in K-deficient maize plants by increasing the C, N, and P accumulation. Moreover, it decreased stoichiometric ratios (C:N, C:P, N:P, C:Si, N:Si, and P:Si) and increased the efficiencies of uptake, translocation, and use of nutrients, net photosynthesis, and dry matter production of maize plants. Therefore, the low nutritional efficiency of C, N, and P caused by K deficiency in maize plants can be alleviated with the supply of 56.17 mg L-1 of Si in the nutrient solution. It changes C:N:P stoichiometry and favors the use efficiency of these nutrients, which enhances the photosynthesis and sustainability of maize.

Air quality prediction by machine learning models: A predictive study on the indian coastal city of Visakhapatnam

Clean air is critical component for health and survival of human and wildlife, as atmospheric pollution is associated with a number of significant diseases including cancer. However, due to rapid industrialization and population growth, activities such as transportation, household, agricultural, and industrial processes contribute to air pollution. As a result, air pollution has become a significant problem in many cities, especially in emerging countries like India. To maintain ambient air quality, regular monitoring and forecasting of air pollution is necessary. For that purpose, machine learning has emerged as a promising technique for predicting the Air Quality Index (AQI) compared to conventional methods. Here we apply the AQI to the city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, focusing on 12 contaminants and 10 meteorological parameters from July 2017 to September 2022. For this purpose, we employed several machine learning models, including LightGBM, Random Forest, Catboost, Adaboost, and XGBoost. The results show that the Catboost model outperformed other models with an R2 correlation coefficient of 0.9998, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.60, a mean square error (MSE) of 0.58, and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.76. The Adaboost model had the least effective prediction with an R2 correlation coefficient of 0.9753. In summary, machine learning is a promising technique for predicting AQI with Catboost being the best-performing model for AQI prediction. Moreover, by leveraging historical data and machine learning algorithms enables accurate predictions of future urban air quality levels on a global scale.

Plant growth-promoting endophyte Nigrospora oryzae mitigates abiotic stress in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Climate change has severely impacted crop productivity. Nascent technologies, such as employing endophytic fungi to induce crop adaptogenic changes, are being explored. In this study, 62 isolates of fungi existing as endophytes were recovered from different parts of a drought-resistant rice variety and screened for salinity and drought tolerance. Nigrospora oryzae #2OSTUR9a exhibited in vitro antioxidant potential, indole acetic acid (351.01 ± 7.11 µg/mL), phosphate solubilisation (PI 1.115 ± 0.02), siderophore (72.57% ± 0.19%) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase production (305.36 ± 0.80 nmol α-ketobutyrate/mg/h). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on salinity and drought stress mitigation in rice plants by endophytic N. oryzae. In treated plants under salinity stress, the relative water, chlorophyll, phenolic and osmolyte content increased by 48.39%, 30.94%, 25.32% and 43.67%, respectively, compared with their respective controls. A similar trend was observed under drought stress, where the above parameters increased by 50.31%, 39.47%, 32.95% and 50.42%, respectively. Additionally, the antioxidant status of the treated plants was much higher because of the enhanced antioxidant enzymes and reduced lipid peroxidation. Our findings indicate the ability of N. oryzae to effectively mitigate the impact of stress, thereby enabling the rice plant to sustain stress conditions.